What Do I Really Know for Sure?-An Update

Yesterday’s research turned my ideas on their head. There does indeed appear to have been two John and Mary Pantons who lived around the same time. Like all journeys there are twists and turns.

I have been able to confirm the death of John Panton’s father James Panton occured August 16th, 1857. He is still described as a grocer’s porter and is said to be aged 73 which also fits in with information I have already obtained. I am now fairly certain that the John Panton, described as a farmer in the 1881 census is the correct one, as the details for his son Henry match, but suddenly John and Mary are both aged 74?(although to be fair it is very difficult to read.) What are the odds of another John and Mary Panton also having a son of the name Henry of exactly the right age…